BTS’ Decision to Sit Out the Grammys Brings New Attention to the Academy’s Asian Pop Category
Categoria: Musica
The group’s decision has renewed discussion about how the new category may shape submissions, screening and recognition for Asian pop.
Por Billboard | 31/07/2026
BTS announced on Wednesday (July 29) that it will not submit its latest album, ARIRANG , or any of its songs for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. All seven members posted the same Korean-language statement to their individual Instagram Stories. In translation, the group said it had decided not to submit to the Grammys this year, adding, “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” Related Grammys Chief Responds to BTS’ Decision To Not Enter Its Songs for Consideration at 2027 Grammys Glenn A. Baker, Australian Music Historian and Former Billboard Correspondent, Dies at 74 Chris Brown Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge of 'Affray' in 2023 London Club Assault Case BTS did not explicitly mention the Recording Academy’s newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Still, the statement arrived just over a month after the category was announced, and its reference to “region” and “language” invited comparisons between the two developments. HYBE also emphasized that the decision was “not a boycott at the company level” and that other artists under the company may submit their work as planned. The announcement has brought wider attention to a discussion already taking place among fans and industry observers. A dedicated Asian pop category offers an additional route to Grammy recognition. It also raises practical questions about how artists whose work already circulates within the global pop market will be entered and evaluated across the awards. What the New Category Actually Does Best Asian Pop Music Performance sits within the Grammys’ Pop & Dance/Electronic field and applies only to vocal singles or tracks. Eligible recordings must originate from, or be widely recognized within, Asian markets and make meaningful use of at least one Asian language. That makes it more specific than a general category for artists from Asia. Recordings performed entirely in English are not eligible for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, though they may still compete elsewhere. The Academy also states that musical style, rather than a performer’s ethnicity or nationality, determines eligibility. Because it is a track category, ARIRANG itself could not have competed there. The language requirement would also have excluded the album’s biggest song: lead single “SWIM,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 , is performed in English. The BBC reported that more than 80% of the album’s lyrics are in English. The album could still have been submitted for Album of the Year and any genre-album categories whose criteria it met. Qualifying songs could also have been considered in the general field. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. emphasized that point following BTS’ announcement. He said the new award was designed to expand recognition for Asian pop artists, rather than separate them from the broader Grammy process. “Recognition in a genre category and recognition in